The Washington 14U All-Stars had their hot start cooled off by even hotter temperatures on Friday at the Babe Ruth Southeast Regional tournament in Varina, Va., as their games against Ocala, Fl., and Downeast (N.C.) were pushed back from morning to the evening due to record-breaking heat.
“Originally, we were scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., but we got a call (Thursday) night saying that they were moving the game against Florida to 10 a.m.,” said Washington Girls Fastpitch Softball League president Greg Dority via cell phone from Va. “But, when we got on the field at 8:30 a.m. (Friday) morning we were advised that the games would be moved to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Friday night) due to record-breaking heat that has reached a heat index of around 106.”
The All-Stars began the double-elimination tournament on Thursday and won games over Madison and Virginia to enter the second day with a perfect 2-0 record.
Sometimes a change in game time can throw a team for a curve but Dority said the girls reacted well to the new game plan.
“This is a veteran bunch that has been in a lot of travel ball tournaments,” Dority said. “They went to the mall, watched a movie and rested up a little bit.”
From the coaches’ standpoint, Dority said that Washington coach Wendy Godley and her staff weren’t so much worried about the blazing hot temperature as much as they were concerned about the blazing fast Ocala team.
“Half their girls slap and they have blazing speed,” Dority said. “We have spent some time today talking about how we will defend their speed.”
If the All-Stars can at least win one of their two Friday games they’re scheduled to resume tournament play on Sunday.